Portsmouth Downtown To Be Pedestrian-Only For 2 Sundays

PORTSMOUTH, NH — It will be pedestrian-only environment in much of downtown Portsmouth during the Share the Square initiative happening on Sundays, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6. During that time, Market Square will be free of cars for visitors to enjoy Portsmouth's restaurants and downtown shops.

The Share the Square initiative is a pilot program that aims to encourage people to spend more time outdoors in Portsmouth. The two dates this year will correspond with time periods when traffic volumes in Portsmouth are lower and demand for parking is less, according to city officials.

On Sept. 29, Share the Square will correspond with the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, which is celebrating 20 years. The festival will include a "Singing in the Streets" event offered by the Recreation Department.

The following traffic changes will be in effect during Share the Square:

• Daniel Street from Penhallow Street to Market Square, Market Street from Bow Street to Market Square, Congress Street from Market Square to High Street and Pleasant Street from Porter Street to Market Square
• Congress Street will be converted to accept two-way traffic from Fleet Street to High Street, and both High and Ladd streets will also have two-way traffic. Porter Street from Pleasant Street to Church Street will reverse in direction. No changes to Bow Street are recommended.
• Streets will close for Share the Square at noon on both Share the Square days. Activities and events will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Streets will re-open to typical traffic after 5 p.m.

The following parking regulations will be in effect:

• Parking at the Foundry Place and Hanover Street garages free to residents all day. Proof of residency will be required.
• Handicapped parking sports reserved sports on Congress Street, which will have two-way traffic in effect.
• Illegally parked cars will be towed to the lower lot at City Hall.

The Recreation Department and the Portsmouth library will offer games and activities throughout the Share the Square events, including storytelling, face painting, chalk on the streets, chess, checkers and Jenga, a giant Twister and a giant Connect Four, cornhole, mini putt golfing and bubble magic. The Public Works Department will offer touch-a-truck activities for children.

Multiple downtown businesses are also expected to participate in Share the Square. These businesses are encouraged to extend into on-street parking in front of their locations.

The Share the Square event grew out of a long tradition of Portsmouth's Market Square being a community gathering space and the city's adaptation of ideas from the Open Streets program, Portsmouth officials say.